Strike averted at Delaware Nursing with tentative contract deal

With help from a federal mediator today, a strike has been averted and union workers have reached a tentative agreement with the proposed new operator of the Delaware Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Workers at the Buffalo nursing home were slated to begin a strike Monday after talks broke off with Centers for Specialty Care, a Bronx-based company that has been tapped to take over as receiver at the site.

Labor leaders at SEIU 1199 United Healthcare Workers East said today members will vote April 16 on a new labor agreement that maintains pension contributions, access to affordable healthcare, and includes a fair wage increase.

Randy Gerlach, administrator at Delaware Nursing, said he was relieved an agreement had been reached, adding that patients and families would have suffered most had a strike gone forward.

“I’ve been through a strike before and it’s extremely difficult on patients and families and that’s the most important thing we averted,” he said. “This gives us a fresh start with a new company that will become the receiver. I think they extended that olive branch really well and wanted to work with the union. That’s important.”

The 200-bed facility on Delaware Avenue has been in limbo since the death in 2008 of owner Anthony Salerno. Attorneys at the Long Island firm of Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP have been working on settling the estate, including identifying Centers for Specialty Care as receiver to take over operations.

Details of the new agreement won’t be released until after workers ratify the contract. SEIU represents 160 workers at the facility, including certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, unit secretaries and service staff. They have worked without a contract since 2011.